Spray-dispensing apparatus



March 31, 1964 sTEvENsoN 3,127,065

SPRAY-DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1961 FIG. l. l2

INVENTOR LINCOLN L. STEVENSON BY MM@ l ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent Oil-ice 3,127,065 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 anneesSPRAY-DlSPENSlNG AFPARATUS Lincoln L. Stevenson, 27 Villa Road,Larchrnont, N Y. Filed Apr. 25, 1961, Ser. No. 105,484 2 claims. (er.zzzian This invention relates to a unique device for operatingspray-dispensing containers.

As is well known, pressurized spray-dispensing containers, such asaerosol containers and others, inherently require two-handed operationin the spraying of a users hand or articles held in the hand. This isso, as at least one hand is required to hold the container and operatethe spray tip.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a uniqueapparatus wherein operation of a spraydispensing container, to spray ahand or an article held in the hand, may be accomplished quickly andeasily with the use of only a single hand or by electricity.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide aspray-operating apparatus of the type described which is inherently welladapted for use with an extremely wide variety of spray-dispensingcontainers, so as to be readily capable of use in many diverseindustries and occupations, including those where it is desirable tospray the hands with a disinfectant or the like, and where it isessential to rapidly spray a wide variety or small parts, as with paint,santizing solution, and other spray materials.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide aspray-operating apparatus having the advantageous characteristicsmentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is extremely simple instructure, capable of quick and easy operation even by unskilledpersons, entirely reliable and durable in operation throughout a longuseful life, and which can be economically manufactured for sale at areasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

ln the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view showing a sprayoperatingapparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional elevational view taken substantially alongthe line 2--2 of FlG. l; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing certain elements of the apparatusin exploded relation.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a boxlike housing isthere generally designated itl, and may include bottom and top Walls l1and 12, a rear wall 13, side walls 14 (only one being shown in thedrawings), and a front wall l5. The front wall 15 may be hinged alongone vertical edge, as at 16, to one side wall 14, and is provided in itslower region with an opening 17 affording access to the interior of thehousing l when the front wall is closed. Thus, the front Wall 15 denes aswingable door and may be provided with any suitable latch means, asdesired. The housing Ill may be recessed in a building Wall atconvenient height, or may be hung or otherwise secured to any suitablesupport. Y

A base plate or tray 2t) may be removably, conformably seated on thebottom housing wall 1l., and may include an upstanding peripheral wallor flange 21, so that t cured at longitudinally spaced locations alongthe clip to the baseplate may serve as an evaporator tray for receivedspray material.

Located generally centrally within the housing 10 is a carrier,generally designated 24. The carrier is of an elongate, generallycradlelike structure, which may be formed of still resilient strip stockfor releasable, resilient embracing engagement with a spray-dispensingcontainer, as at 23. The cradle structure may consist of a strip 25 bentto a generally rectangular U shape, including a substantially straightbight or end portion 26, and a pair of substantially straight legs 27and 28 extending in parallelism from opposite ends of the end portion26. The legs 27 and 2S terminate at slightly outturned freeend portions29 and 3l), respectively, remote from the end portion 26. An additionalstrip 31 includes a substantially straight, transverse end portion 32extending across and preferably ixedly secured by suitable means to amedial region of the end portion 26. From one end of the transversestrip portion 32 extends a longitudinal strip portion or leg 33generally parallel to and in substantially equally spaced relation fromthe longitudinal legs 27 and 2S. The transverse strip portion 32terminates remote from the longitudinal strip portion 33 in an outturnedend region 34, and the distal region end 35 of the longitudinal stripportion is also outturned.

A pair of additional resilient strips 37 and 38 are bent to generally 'Cshape, and arranged in parallel spaced relation with each other, eachbeing located in the spaces between the longitudinal strip portions 27,23 and 33, extending transversely across the several longitudinal stripportions and being secured to the latter as by spot-welding or othersuitable means. As best seen in FIG. 3, the generally =Cshaped strip orclip 37 is located intermediate the ends of longitudinal strip portions27, 23 and 33, extending transversely thereof and secured atlongitudinally spaced locations along the clip to the respectivelongitudinal strip portions. The generally C-shaped resilient clip 38 islocated proximate to and spaced slightly inward from the free ends 29,30 and 35 of the longitudinal strip portions 27, 2S and 31, and issimilarly sethe respective longitudinal strip portions.

It will thus be appreciated that the cradle structure 24 has one endclosed, as by the strip portions 26 and 32, the opposite end being open,and is adapted to resiliently, frictionally engage with and removablyreceive a container 23.

The closed end region of the cradle 24, as defined by the strip portions26 and 32, is preferably provided with suitable means for adjustablyextending container 23 a selected distance beyond the open end of thecradle structure. Such adjustable extension means r'nay consist of athumbscrew dit extending longitudinally of the cradle and in threadedengagement through the crossover regions of the strip portions 26 and32. On the inner end of the thumbscrew may be provided an abutment pad41 for engagement with a container received in the cradle structure.

The cradle structure 24 is arranged in the housing 10 with its open sideupward, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, and its open end facing generallyforward or toward the door 15. Suitable means are provided to mount thecradle structure 24 for pivotal or rocking movement about a generallyhorizontal axis extending laterally or transversely of the cradle.Toward this end, a generally horizontal rod or shaft i3 projectslaterally from one side of the cradle structure, say from thelongitudinal strip portion 27 through a mounting block 44 which may beiixedly secured to a side housing wall 14. That is, the mounting blockmay be provided with a generally horizontal, lateraia/,eee

c', ally extending through bore 45 for rotatably receiving the shaft 43;and, the shaft may extend through a washer or spacer 46, thence throughthe bore 45, and thence through the housing wall 14 where it is providedwith a nut 47 or other suitable holding means. The mounting block 46 isfurther secured in position on the housing wall 14 by threadedengagement of a fastener through the housing wall into a threaded hole48 in the mounting block. The mounting block 44 is thus firmly fixed tothe housing wall 14 and may journal the shaft 43 to mount the cradle 24for rocking or rotary oscillation about the shaft axis, as between thesolid and phantom positions shown in FIG. 1. Of course, the mountingblock 44 may be selectively adjustably positionable on the housing wall14 by any suitable adjustment means, as to accommodate different sizesand shapes of cradles and containers.

The mounting block 44 may be further provided with a generally verticalthrough hole or bore t) which slidably receives a vertically disposedand vertically shiftable elongate member or rod 51. One or more suitableguide brackets 52 may be secured in vertically spaced relation withrespect to the mounting block 44 for receiving and guiding the elongatemember 51. An upper end enlargement or head 53 may be provided on theelongate member 5l, and may be adjustable thereon, as by suitablethreads or otherwise, for limiting abutting engagement with an upperguide bracket 52, if desired.

Carried on the lower end region of the elongate member 51 is a laterallyoutstanding, generally horizontal actuating member, platform or plate55. The actuating member 55 may be provided with an upstanding boss 56having a generally vertical through bore receiving the lower end regionof elongate member or rod 51. Suitable means for adjustably andremovably securing the rod 51 in the boss 56 may be provided, such as asetscrew 57. By this connection, the actuating member or platformextends laterally, generally horizontally from the lower end region ofrod 51, and is spaced over the baseplate 2t).

Beneath the actuating platform 55, and preferably in alignment with therod 51, is located a coil compression spring 59. The upper end of spring59 may engage with the underside of the platform 55, while the lower endof the spring may be provided with a locating element 60 adapted to seaton the tray and having a lateral exten sion 61 engageable with orsecured to the adjacent housing side wall 14 to properly locate thespring 59. Thus, the actuating platform 52 is mounted for verticalshifting movement with the rod 51, as between the solid-line and phantompositions of FIG. l, and is resiliently biased upward to the solid-lineposition by the spring 59.

An elongate connecting member 63, such as a stilir wire or rod, extendsgenerally vertically upward from the actuating platform 55 forconnection to the cradle 24. More specifically, the connecting member 63has its lower end anchored by a suitable fastener 64 to the actuatingmember at a location rearwardly of the axis of shaft 43 rockablysupporting the cradle 24, and extends upward therefrom for connection ofits upper end by suitable fastening means 65 to the underside of thecradle. The upper end connection of connecting member 63 to the cradle24 is offset or eccentric with respect to the cradle axis of shaft 43,so that depression of the actuating platform 55 to its phantom-lineposition of FIG. l serves to rotate or rock the cradle to itsphantom-line position.

The spray-dispensing container 23 may be conventional, and of anysuitable type, being shown for purposes of illustration as a generallycylindrical can 67 having its forward region extending beyond the openend of the cradle 24 and there provided with a dispensing valve 68.

Located in the path of movement of the dispensing valve 68 upon rockingof the container 23 to its phantom position, i.e. upon upward swingingmovement of the forward container end, is a valve-activator cam orengaging member 69. The engaging member or cam 69 is specificallyconfigured and located for engagement with the dispensing valve 68 uponrocking movement of the carrier 24 as caused by depression of theactuating member 55, to activate the dispensing valve and dispense spraymaterial from the container, as to a users hand 70, see FIG. 1. Theengaging member or cam 69 may be adjustably positionable on the door 15,as by any suitable fastener means 71, and is also removable forreplacement by a differently configured cam, when desired.

While operation of the instant device is believed apparent from theforegoing descripion, it may be briey reviewed. When a user desires tohave his hands sprayed, as with a sanitizing solution, or any spraymaterial, it is only necessary to engage the hand through the dooropening 17 and depress the actuating member or platform 55. Of course,the contents of the users hand may be similarly sprayed. Further,articles to be sprayed may be placed on the platform, and the weightcause depression of the platfrom to effect spraying operation. This maybe done by passage of articles to be sprayed through the door opening17; or, operation may be achieved by opening the door 15 and placing thearticles on the platform 55. It will be noted that when the door isopen, although the platform 55 is depressed by the weight of supportedarticles, spray operation does not commence until the door is closed andthe cam 69 engages the spray valve 68. Similarly, upon opening of thedoor 15, the cam 69 is disengaged from the spray valve to deactivate thelatter.

For relatively light containers 23, the illustrated single pivot 43 atone side of cradle 24 is sufficient. For heavier containers, the cradle24 may have coaxial pivots 43 at each side thereof.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides aspray-operaing apparatus which fully accomplishes its intended objectsand is well-adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for spraying, comprising, in combination. a relativelyelongated carrier arranged to support a container of pressurized iiuidhaving a deflectable operator at its discharge end; means mounting saidcarrier for oscillation about an axis transverse thereof, for movementof the carrier between a non-operating position and an operatingposition; engaging means fixedly located for engagement with theoperator of a container, supported on said carrier, in such carrieroperating position to discharge the container contents in a selecteddirection; means biasing said carrier to said non-operating position;actuating means connected to said carrier and manually movable tooscillate said carrier to said operating position; the position of saidactuating means, relative to said engaging means, being such that, whena users hand is in contact with said actuating means to move the latter,the users hand is in the path of discharge of the containers contents;and a housing enclosing said carrier, said mounting means, said engagingmeans, and said actuating means; said housing having a front opening foraccess to said actuating means; said housing including an openable dooraffording access to said carrier for replacing a container thereon; saidengaging means comprising a cam adjustably and replaceably mounted onsaid door for operating engagement with the deflectable operators ofcontainers carried by said carrier; said cam being movable with saiddoor, upon opening of the latter, out of the path of movement of acontainer operator to prevent operation of the container when said dooris open.

2. Apparatus for spraying a users hand comprising a housing including abase, a front wall, and side walls; vertically spaced and alignedapertured brackets on one side wall; a rod slidably mounted in saidbrackets; said front wall having an opening adjacent said base forinsertion of a users hand into the housing; a platform secured to thelower end of said rod and extending toward said opening for engagementby the hand of a user; means biasing said platform and said rodupwardly; a mounting block on said one side wall adjacent said rod andintermediate the height of the housing; a relatively elongated cradlestructure pivoted, intermediate its ends, on said mounting block foroscillation about a substantially horizontal axis; resilient embracingmeans on said cradle structure for frictional embracing engagement witha container of pressurized fluid having a deflectable operator at itsdischarge end; said cradle structure having a substantially closed endtoward the rear of said housing and an open end toward the front of saidhousing whereby, when a container is mounted in said cradle structure,its discharge end may project beyond the open end of said cradlestructure; engaging means xedly located on said front wall intermediateof the height of the housing for engagement with the operator of acontainer, supported on said cradle structure; rigid meansinterconnecting said platform and a portion of said cradle structurerearwardly of the pivot axis thereof, the length of said rigid meansbeing such that, under the inuence of the means biasing said rod andplatform upwardly, said cradle structure is tilted downwardly andforwardly to a non-operating position; said cradle structure, upondepression of said platform by the hand of an operator inserted throughsaid opening, being swung toward a substantially horizontal operatingposition in which said engaging means will engage and deect the operatorof the container to discharge the container contents through itsdischarge end; the position of said actuating means relative to saidengaging means being such that, when a users hand is in contact with anddepressing said platform, the users hand is in the path of discharge ofthe containers contents.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,289,505 Mariner Dec. 31, 1918 1,368,687 Bennetts Feb. 15, 19212,722,224 Blann Nov. 1, 1955 2,787,501 Tuma Apr. 2, 1957 2,861,857 Leeet a1 Nov. 25, 1958 20 2,904,223 Ryan sept. 15, 1959

1. APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION. A RELATIVELYELONGATED CARRIER ARRANGED TO SUPPORT A CONTAINER OF PRESSURIZED FLUIDHAVING A DEFLECTABLE OPERATOR AT ITS DISCHARGE END; MEANS MOUNTING SAIDCARRIER FOR OSCILLATION ABOUT AN AXIS TRANSVERSE THEREOF, FOR MOVEMENTOF THE CARRIER BETWEEN A NON-OPERATING POSITION AND AN OPERATINGPOSITION; ENGAGING MEANS FIXEDLY LOCATED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THEOPERATOR OF A CONTAINER, SUPPORTED ON SAID CARRIER, IN SUCH CARRIEROPERATING POSITION TO DISCHARGE THE CONTAINER CONTENTS IN A SELECTEDDIRECTION; MEANS BIASING SAID CARRIER TO SAID NON-OPERATING POSITION;ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CARRIER AND MANUALLY MOVABLE TOOSCILLATE SAID CARRIER TO SAID OPERATING POSITION; THE POSITION OF SAIDACTUATING MEANS, RELATIVE TO SAID ENGAGING MEANS, BEING SUCH THAT, WHENUSER''S HAND IS IN CONTACT WITH SAID ACTUATING MEANS TO MOVE THE LATTER,THE USER''S